Take the Research Challenge

-Do you want to be part of cutting-edge research topics?
-Is your learning driven by curiosity?
-Are you keen on interdisciplinary science?
Then the livMatS Master Lab program may be just the thing for you. This research-oriented, extra-curricular program aims to foster the research interests of motivated students in livMatS-related study programs.

Lecture Series

In summer term, livMatS principal investigators present their interdisciplinary research and a livMatS-related research challenge. Students interested in working on the challenge can apply for the Master Lab Program by submitting an initial proposal. The best ideas will be accepted into the Master Lab Program. Want to find out more? Check out the topics for the SS 2020 lecture series.

Registration via ILIAS

To access the lecture series, go to ILIAS course page. Once there, go to the lecture series folder, join the lecture(s) of interest, and answer the survey question on the landing page. Doing so will allow us to generate a list of participants for future communication via email, in particular to inform you about whether lectures can take place in the FIT seminar room or online in accordance with evolving COVID-19 restrictions at the University. All lectures will be recorded and made available in ILIAS for those unable to attend either a presence or digital lecture.

Master Lab Program

In winter term, selected students work on the research challenge autonomously under scientific guidance, network with livMatS researchers from different disciplines, and can take soft skills courses. Near the end of winter term, Master Lab students present on their respective research challenge and progress/results. In order to support this autonomous research, each Master Lab student will be awarded a research stipend. During the following summer term, all Master Lab students will be encouraged to attend select livMatS events and keep abreast on developments.

Program requirements

Introduction workshop on Designing a Research Plan (week prior to beginning of WiSe 20/21)

Monthly mentoring meetings with principal investigators to discuss research challenge

Mid-term meeting of Master Lab students to discuss progress on research challenge and exchange ideas at an interdisciplinary level

Colloquium - students present progress/results and submit a brief write-up at end of winter term

Program Electives

Scientific writing and presentation training

Attend select livMatS early career researcher events

Interdisciplinary workshops offered by University of Freiburg

Attendance of livMatS colloquium talks (Wednesdays, 4-5 pm)

Learning objectives

Students who complete the Master Lab program will be able to:

Recognize interdisciplinary overlaps of their respective research challenge

Develop and refine research ideas into concrete research aims

Design and implement a research plan based on such aims

Communicate their research (orally and in writing) appropriately for interdisciplinary settings

Program Certificate

Master Lab students who complete the program - simultaneous to working towards their respective Master’s degree - will receive a certificate attesting to the program’s achieved objectives, which serves as an additional qualification for students’ future career aspirations.

Application

Send an updated CV, Bachelor's transcript of records, and a two-page letter of intent as one PDF to masterlab@livmats.uni-freiburg.de. The letter of intent should briefly outline your background, initial idea(s) for the one research challenge you would like to tackle, and your motivations for applying to the Master Lab program. Submission deadline is 14 August!

Selection Criteria

livMatS principal investigators view the submitted applications and select students for the Master Lab program based on the following criteria: